Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 228 The King of Hell Knocks on the Door
When Zhang Bo saw Lu Zheng was about to go out, he could probably guess what Lu Zheng wanted to do.

He made up his mind and said, "I'll go with Brother Lu!"

Lu Zheng looked at Zhang Bo, smiled slightly, reached out and patted Zhang Bo on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Zhang, your intentions are good, but to be frank, if you follow me, it will only make me feel constrained. With your family background, you can enter the government now that you have passed the imperial examination. You will have plenty of opportunities to realize your ambitions in the future..."

Zhang Bo opened his mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but saw Lu Zheng turn around and leave.

He sighed inwardly, knowing his current strength, he would only be a hindrance if he really went.

"Brother Lu, be careful!" Zhang Bo said.

Lu Zheng smiled calmly, "I know."

As soon as he walked out of the door, a steward from the Zheng family came and wanted to invite Lu Zheng to go to the provincial government.

Lu Zheng inquired about the situation and was a little surprised to learn that Zheng Yu had personally gone to the provincial government to apologize.

Zheng Yu is acting too quickly. Is he trying to build momentum for himself?
Lu Zheng thought for a while and said, "You go back now. Things will come to a conclusion soon."

After hearing this, the Zheng family's steward was still worried.

Lu Zheng didn't say a few words of comfort and just left.

After crossing several streets, we arrived outside a luxurious mansion.

The Gao family, the Gao family of Hongzhou, is a wealthy and powerful family that ranks among the best in the whole of Hongzhou. In the previous dynasty, it was a large local family with hundreds of years of heritage.

In comparison, the Yang family and the Lin family are nothing.

Lu Zheng came to the gate of Gao's house and handed over the invitation.

When the doorman learned that it was Lu Zheng who had arrived, he hurried into the mansion to report.

After a while, a steward came with servants and greeted Lu Zheng with a smile, inviting him into the mansion.

After passing through several doors, we arrived at a spacious courtyard.

The head of the Gao family showed up with a group of relatives, including young men and women.

"Mr. Lu is visiting. I'm sorry for not welcoming you. Please come in!"

Patriarch Gao walked up to Lu Zheng with a smile on his face.

The Gao family and Lu Zheng had no relationship in the past, but they didn't expect that Lu Zheng would come to visit them not long after they sent the invitation.

This made the head of the Gao family feel proud, and their Gao family still had weight.

Lu Zheng smiled as he followed into the hall and said leisurely, "Thanks to Patriarch Gao for thinking highly of me and sending me an invitation. I've come to bother you a little, but I was rude for not informing you in advance."

"No, no," the Gao family head said with a smile, "Young Master Lu has received a divine gift, making him a rare talent... It is a blessing for our Gao family that Young Master Lu can come to our house."

Lu Zhengdao said, "I came to visit you because I have something to ask."

"Oh, what's the matter?" Patriarch Gao asked curiously, "Please sit down and tell me slowly!"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "No need to sit down, just a few words."

"So urgent?" Patriarch Gao's expression changed, not understanding Lu Zheng's intention.

Lu Zhengdao: "I want to ask the Gao family to take the right path."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the Gao family members present changed slightly.

The Gao family head's expression froze, and his tone became colder. "Mr. Lu, what do you mean? I don't quite understand."

Lu Zheng raised his hand, took out a piece of paper, and flew lightly in front of the head of the Gao family.

When Patriarch Gao took it and looked at it, his face darkened.

Lu Zheng said slowly, "This is only part of the story. The Gao family has been thriving in Hongzhou for so many years. As the head of the family, I believe you should know some of the reasons..."

"How many dead souls are buried in the family heritage and wealth accumulated over the past few hundred years?"

"How many people have suffered grievances but have nowhere to appeal. Some people dare not punish your Gao family, and some people cannot punish your Gao family..."

"But now that Lu knows about it, I can't just ignore it."

When Patriarch Gao heard these words, his face turned pale and then blue.

He never thought that Lu Zheng came here to call for punishment.

The young men and women nearby looked at each other in bewilderment.

After all, Patriarch Gao had been through a lot, so he didn't immediately turn hostile. Instead, he asked, "What do you want?"

"According to national law, the case will be tried and convicted." Lu Zheng said calmly, "And we ask the entire Gao family to cooperate. Please ask the head of the Gao family to go to the government office."

Patriarch Gao looked at the evidence in his hand and then looked at Lu Zheng.

He was not stupid and quickly figured out some things.

This was clearly a target of the government. If he really went to the provincial government office, it would probably not be easy for him to get out.

The entire Gao family will also face a great disaster.

Patriarch Gao's eyes flickered as he said quietly, "Young man, do you know what you're doing? I know you've received the Holy Gift and have some confidence... but don't let yourself become a tool in the hands of others and be used by them."

Lu Zheng said calmly: "No one can use me. If I am a sword, it will be a sword in the hands of the people."

Lu Zheng paused, then continued, "I will give Patriarch Gao half a quarter of an hour to consider. I hope Patriarch Gao can understand and not go astray."

The head of the Gao family was amused. "If I don't want you to, what will you do? Let the government arrest our entire Gao family? I can tell you that in Tai'an, there are also members of our Gao family serving as officials. With you, and the state government, you can't touch our Gao family... Young man, your ability to receive the Holy Gift is a blessing for us in Hongzhou. I hope you can consider it carefully and don't ruin your future."

"Since you are not afraid, why don't you go to the provincial government office?" Lu Zheng said lightly.

Patriarch Gao thought to himself that he was not a fool. Even if he tried to find connections, it would take time. What if the officials in the prefecture government came to cut the Gordian knot?

As long as he doesn't admit his crimes, who can do anything to the Gao family?

Besides, why did he admit those things?

Patriarch Gao looked at Lu Zheng and shook his head, saying, "It's a good thing that young people have integrity. Unfortunately, many things are not as simple as you think. Let's put the matter aside and treat you with courtesy. How about that?"

"You're from Kaiyang County. You should be familiar with Xiaoshan in Kaiyang County, right? He was about the same age as you when he was young, and he even held a high position in government. What's he like now?"

Lu Zhengdao: "Dean Xiao and I are somewhat different, so I won't repeat the same mistakes." "Huh?" Patriarch Gao narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lu Zheng slowly raised his hand, holding a long sword, pointing it directly at the head of the Gao family.

When the others saw this, their expressions suddenly changed.

The head of the Gao family couldn't help but look gloomy and stared at Lu Zheng.

Lu Zhengdao said, "A saint once told me to eliminate evil and defend morality. Do you really want to continue doing evil? Today, either you bow your heads, or I die here. You choose one."

The head of the Gao family had an ugly expression on his face. Lu Zheng was indeed different from Xiao Shan. He was even more upright than Xiao Shan and even threatened to kill him.

Lu Zheng died in the Gao family? A person who had just received the Holy Gift died in their home. What would be the fate of the entire Gao family...

I'm afraid there's no need to go through any official trial process, he can just be killed as a traitor.

"you……"

Patriarch Gao didn't know what to say.

Lu Zhengzheng remained calm and said, "Master Gao, time is running out... I still have many places to visit, so please make a decision as soon as possible."

Patriarch Gao looked at Lu Zheng and felt that this young man was a lunatic.

This wasn't just targeting the Gao family, but other families as well. How could they dare to do this? Even the governor and the provincial governor wouldn't dare do this, would they?
A saint told him... Patriarch Gao's heart suddenly trembled.

Just now I thought Lu Zheng was talking about some sage’s words, but now it seems to me that it is the will of a saint.

Could something have happened in the court?
Thinking of this, the head of the Gao family suddenly felt a chill down his spine, as if a thorn was thorned in his back.

However, these are just his guesses, so Patriarch Gao is not too panicked.

"Good good..."

The head of the Gao family suddenly smiled and said, "Well, I will go to the provincial government office!"

At worst, he could admit some of the family's minor crimes, stabilize the situation first, not make things worse, and then see how the situation develops.

Lu Zheng smiled when he heard this, "Master Gao, please come in."

Patriarch Gao looked at his children and said calmly, "Just stay home and don't cause any trouble!"

"Father……"

When everyone saw this situation, they couldn't help but panic.

Patriarch Gao said no more and strode away.

Lu Zheng followed behind.

The two of them quickly left Gao's house, but soon went their separate ways.

Seeing this, Patriarch Gao couldn't help but ask, "Isn't the provincial government office in that direction?"

Lu Zheng took out an invitation and looked at it. "Master Gao, please go by yourself. I really don't have time."

Patriarch Gao:...

Not only was there no official waiting outside, but even Lu Zheng didn't accompany him.

So he really went to the provincial government alone to surrender himself?
"Aren't you afraid that I won't go?" asked the head of the Gao family.

Lu Zheng said calmly, "You can be given a lighter punishment if you surrender yourself. The next time I come, the nature of the matter will be different. I think Patriarch Gao will be able to tell the difference."

After saying that, Lu Zheng left without looking back.

Seeing Lu Zheng like this, the head of the Gao family became more and more uneasy and did not dare to go home.

He directly called the servants in the mansion, prepared a carriage, and drove to the provincial government office.

When Su Ming learned that the head of the Gao family had come to the provincial government in person, he was shocked again. This was another heavyweight figure. He didn't know how Lu Zheng got him to come.

When Patriarch Gao saw Su Ming, his face stiffened and he bowed, saying, "Mr. Gao, I have come to apologize to Lord Su!"

Su Ming smiled and said, "Why do you say that, Patriarch Gao?"

Patriarch Gao said with a forced smile, "Sir, you're asking even though you already know the answer?"

He didn't believe at all that Su Ming didn't know what was going on.

It's already this late, why are you still playing dumb with him? Are you afraid of falling out?

"Well, that's quite telling..." Su Ming said kindly, "Then I'll have to inconvenience Patriarch Gao and let him stay at the state government office for a few days."

Patriarch Gao hummed lightly in response.

Seeing this, Su Ming waved his hand, and several guards came forward and directly sealed the cultivation and acupoints of the head of the Gao family.

"you……"

The head of the Gao family was caught off guard, his face suddenly changed, and soon he couldn't even speak.

Su Ming's expression changed, and he said in a cold voice: "Take him away and serve him well!"

Several guards took the head of the Gao family to the jail without any delay.

Patriarch Gao's eyes widened, he still couldn't believe that Su Ming dared to treat him like this.

……

Lu Zheng left the Gao family and soon arrived at a nearby mansion.

He looked at the closed door, walked forward and knocked gently.

After a while, someone came out to receive him and brought Lu Zheng into the mansion.

……

Many years later, Lu Zheng gained another widely known nickname: Lu Yanwang.

The news of Lu Zheng visiting the major families in Hongzhou was also spread, and was called "the King of Hell knocking on the door."

(End of this chapter)